Nha Trang Market

30/03/2017

When it comes to street markets in the popular coastal town, Nha Trang Market is hailed as the busiest of its kind. Open as early as 04:00 until 18:00 every day, local craftsmen, farmers and fishermen gather to sell an extensive array of handmade clothes, trinkets, seafood, fresh produce, and packaged goods to locals and tourists.

Trading since 1974, Nha Trang Market’s bustling atmosphere and colourful array of goods makes it a popular spot for travelling photographers and tourists looking to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Also known as Dam Market, it takes place within a three-storey building with designated sections that makes it easy to navigate. Local souvenir shops are set in the front and middle sections while meat and fish stalls are located at the back. A staple in any coastal town in Vietnam is dried seafood delicacies, and you can find vacuum-sealed shrimp, seaweed, and cuttlefish at the right of the building.

You can also see numerous stalls selling counterfeit goods such as handbags, watches, sneakers and knock-off branded clothing, though most of them have the same stock. Bargaining for souvenirs is a must if you want anything approaching a fair price. This is generally the case for markets popular with tourists in Vietnam, and throughout most of Southeast Asia.

Nha Trang Market also hosts numerous food stalls, where you can enjoy popular Vietnamese dishes such as banh cuon (rolled cakes), banh xeo (crispy pancake), pho noodles, and bun cha sua (rice vermicelli with fish and jellyfish). As with any crowded tourist attraction around the world, be aware of your belongings to avoid getting pickpocketed. However, this lively street market is a fascinating place to immerse yourself in the local culture. Located in Van Thanh, Nha Trang Market is accessible within a 10-minute walk from the Alexandre Yersin Museum via Tran Phu Street and a five-minute drive from Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang City.